Car Hire San Juan

Introduction

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island which is officially part of the United States. Given its location, you can expect fine weather, access to the beach and a carnival lifestyle, but San Juan is also a laidback kind of place where you can go for a gentle stroll and forget any worries you have at home.
You might not realise it, but San Juan was the first official city in the United States. Looking around the city, you’re likely to spot influences from American, Spanish, Caribbean and even African cultures, as evident in its architecture, customs and even the local cuisine. San Juan also has a vibrant nightlife, with some bars staying open until 4am.
Highlights and hotspots
El Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a 16th century citadel lying in the north-western part of San Juan. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel is the main landmark of Puerto Rico and should be the first port of call for any visitor.
Fuerte San Geronimo was a fort built to defend the city against foreign invasion. Much of the fort still stands today, while there’s also a small museum where you can learn more about the fort’s construction and its importance to San Juan.
The best place to go for a walk in the city is Old San Juan, where many of the city’s most interesting buildings lie. You can see many of the museums, galleries and old-style shops and restaurants here, while feeling like you’re in a more authentic part of San Juan.
The Bacardi Rum Factory offers free tours every day. On these tours, you’re taken around the so-called ‘Cathedral of Rum’ while you can learn about how it’s made and, if you’re in the mood, pick up a bottle on the way back to the hotel!
Important things to note

Ideal car

Economy
Most of the roads in San Juan are pretty narrow, especially in the older parts of the city. A small car will lead to less likelihood of a collision in any backstreet.

Driving in San Juan

R

Road Driving Side

50kmh

Urban Speed Limit

90kmh

Rural Speed Limit

105kmh

Motorway Speed Limit

Important things to note

The driving culture in San Juan has been likened to that of New York and Boston, so look out for aggressive drivers on the roads.
Most of the road signs in Puerto Rico are written in Spanish, but are laid out in the same way as signs in the US, making them easy to understand.
Some of the road markings in San Juan are faded, largely due to the tropical heat. This is something to take into account when driving off the beaten track.

Highlights & Hotspots

El Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a 16th century citadel lying in the north-western part of San Juan. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel is the main landmark of Puerto Rico and should be the first port of call for any visitor.
Fuerte San Geronimo was a fort built to defend the city against foreign invasion. Much of the fort still stands today, while there’s also a small museum where you can learn more about the fort’s construction and its importance to San Juan.
The best place to go for a walk in the city is Old San Juan, where many of the city’s most interesting buildings lie. You can see many of the museums, galleries and old-style shops and restaurants here, while feeling like you’re in a more authentic part of San Juan.
The Bacardi Rum Factory offers free tours every day. On these tours, you’re taken around the so-called ‘Cathedral of Rum’ while you can learn about how it’s made and, if you’re in the mood, pick up a bottle on the way back to the hotel!

Airport Information

The main airport serving the city is the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, 2.5 miles east of the city centre. The airport is a destination for flights from across North America, the Caribbean and Europe and has five separate concourses.The airport is linked to the 26 highway, which takes you westwards towards central San Juan. The road has junctions with other routes taking you to the south and west of Puerto Rico.